Apparatuses and methods for streaming audio and video

ABSTRACT

A wirelessly enabled content delivery apparatus includes a surface; a wireless data system and a data output interface. The surface has a front side and a back side. The wireless data system includes a wireless data module. The wireless data system is fixed to the back side of the surface. The wireless data module is configured to communicate with a user device and to receive a wireless stream of data from the user device. The data output interface is configured to receive data from the wireless data module, and the data is derived from the wireless stream of data.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/068,778 filed on May 18,2011, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/395,898 filed on May, 18, 2010 titled “APPARATUSES ANDMETHODS FOR COMBINING MIRRORS WITH ELECTRONICS” and is herebyincorporated by reference into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates generally to streaming audio and video, and morespecifically to combining wireless content delivery with varioussurfaces such as a conductive surface.

2. Art Background

Capacitive touch controllers are typically used with non conductivesurfaces such as plastic, wood, ceramic, glass, etc. When capacitivetouch controllers are used with conductive surfaces or surfaces thathave a conductive layer, noise is capacitively coupled into the touchcontroller resulting in spurious false signals. This can present aproblem.

Mirrors are used in various rooms of a dwelling such as in any room of ahome, or in a hotel room, such as a bath room, living room, bed room,etc. Often, when a mirror is used indoors, light is needed to adequatelyilluminate the person using the mirror. Systems embedded into a mirrorto provide light generally require controls so that a user can adjustthe light. Mechanical switches are often a source of failure resultingin maintenance and expense to repair. This can present a problem.

Various integrations of a mirror surface and electronic devices are usedfor medicine cabinets and wall mounted mirrors. Such an integration ofcomponents provides a person with various functionality such as a locallight source that illuminates the person while the person is using themirror, television programming on an information display incorporatedinto the mirror, etc. These systems require controls. Mechanicalcontrols are often associated with moving parts that can fail. This canpresent a problem.

Existing infrastructures make it difficult to run physical wiring inorder to connect speakers or a video display device. Thus, the design ofexisting rooms can lack functionality being void of sound systems suchas stereos systems, video systems, etc. This can present a problem.

In hospitality environments, guests often carry their own audio andvideo content on a user device such as a telephone, tablet computer, laptop computer or the like. Current closed loop entertainment systems suchas DVD players, cable TV, etc. limit a guests ability to play their owncontent while in the hospitality environment. this can present aproblem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may best be understood by referring to the followingdescription and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrateembodiments of the invention. The invention is illustrated by way ofexample in the embodiments and is not limited in the figures of theaccompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similarelements.

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a capacitive touch controller,according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates another block diagram of a capacitive touchcontroller, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates a cross-section view of a capacitive touchcontroller and a conductive surface, according to embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates partitioning a touch area, according to embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates partitioning a conductive area, according toembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates multiple touch areas, according to embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a capacitive touch control with a mirror, accordingto embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6A illustrates a wirelessly enabled content delivery device,according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6B illustrates a wirelessly enabled content delivery device and auser device, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7A illustrates a wireless data module and associated componentsaccording to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a surface according toembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7C illustrates a surface configured with touch areas according toembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a wirelessly enabled content delivery device with anassociated identifier according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9A illustrates a method for interrupting audio streaming accordingto embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9B illustrates a method for interrupting audio/video contentstreaming according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a plurality of wirelessly enabled content deliverydevices according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates selecting an associated wirelessly adapted mediadisplay device from a plurality of wirelessly enabled content deliverydevice according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention,reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which like referencesindicate similar elements, and in which is shown by way of illustration,specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Theseembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of skillin the art to practice the invention. In other instances, well-knowncircuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail inorder not to obscure the understanding of this description. Thefollowing detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by theappended claims.

Apparatuses and methods are described that permit a capacitive touchcontroller to work with a conductive surface. In various embodiments, acapacitive touch controller is used with a conductive surface to controllighting and other devices. Elements in figures are shown either largeror smaller than actual size to facilitate clarity of illustration. Noabsolute or relative size information should be inferred therefrom.

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a system, generally at 100,according to embodiments of the invention. With reference to FIG. 1A, invarious embodiments, a capacitive touch control system 102 includes amicro-controller unit 104, a capacitive touch controller 106, and numberof touch pads designated by 108 ₁, 108 ₂ up to 108 _(n). Alternatively,in some configurations, the micro-controller unit 104 is combinedtogether with the capacitive touch controller 106 into a single chipimplementation. Embodiments of the invention are not limited thereby.Touch pads 108 ₁, 108 ₂ up to 108 _(n) are configured on a circuit boardas conductive areas, typically copper covered areas of the circuitboard. The maximum number of touch pads used is limited by thecapacitive touch controller of choice and the number of functions that adesigner chooses to control with the system.

A surface is indicated at 110. The surface 110 has a conductive layerlocated within a thickness of the surface. The conductive layer ispartitioned into a number of touch areas such as an 112 ₁, an 112 ₂ upto an 112 _(n). The touch pads 108 ₁, 108 ₂ up to 108 _(n) and the touchareas 112 ₁, 112 ₂ up to an 112 _(n) are sized similarly and aligned sothat touch areas over positioned over touch pads.

The micro-controller unit 104 is connected so that the capacitive touchcontrol system can provide a signal that is used to control a desireddevice, such as a device 114. For example, a signal from themicro-controller unit 104 can be sent to a switch and the switch canturn on and off the desired device 114. Any desired device can beconfigured to be operated by the capacitive touch control system such aslights, information displays such as monitors, televisions, defoggers,etc.

FIG. 1B illustrates another block diagram of a capacitive touchcontroller, generally at 130, according to embodiments of the invention.With reference to FIG. 1B, the capacitive touch control system 102 isshown with the addition of an optical isolation unit 132. In someembodiments, it is desirable to isolate the capacitive touch controlsystem 102 from the device that is being controlled. If the device thatis being controlled has a high level of electrical noise, placing anoptical-to-electrical link in between the micro-controller unit 104 andthe external device isolates the capacitive touch control system 102from the high noise level of the external device.

An example of a device that produces a high noise level when connectedto a capacitive touch controller is a ballast control device 134 anddimmer for fluorescent lights 140. Signals from the micro-controllerunit 104 are converted to optical signals and then back to electricalsignals at the optical isolation unit 132. Thereby providing electricalisolation from the ballast control device 134.

FIG. 1C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a capacitive touchcontroller and a conductive surface, generally at 160, according toembodiments of the invention. With reference to FIG. 1C, a surface 162extends into the plane of the figure and has two-dimensional extentsimilar to that illustrated with a surface 201 in FIG. 2. With referenceback to FIG. 1C, the surface 162 has a conductive layer 170. Aconductive layer such as 170 acts as an antenna picking up unwantedelectromagnetic energy (noise) that adversely affects the capacitivetouch control system by capacitively coupling this noise into thesystem, which can then appear as a false touch action, i.e., a falsesignal. The noise problem increases as the area of the conductivesurface increases. As the thickness of the surface 162 increases, asignal resulting from a user touching a touch area decreases, making ithard to detect a user's touch from the background noise presented by theenvironment. Background noise is reduced by placing a trench 164 aaround a touch pad area 166 in the conductive layer 170 and as suchpartitions the conductive layer 170 into the touch pad area. Removal ofthe conductive layer is implied by use of the term trench. The usertouches a region of the surface designated at 168 to trigger the touchpad control.

A capacitive touch control system 188 has a touch pad 190. Thecapacitive touch control system 188 is positioned against the surface162 so that the touch pad area 166 is over the touch pad 190. In oneembodiment, an optional source of light 184 emits light which isdirected via 186 into a layer 182 located on a back side of the surface162. In various embodiments, 186 is an array of optical fibers thatdirects light into the layer 182. An adhesive layer 180 attaches theoptional layer 182 to the back side of the surface 162. Those of skillin the art will note that additional adhesive layers are used as neededto fix the capacitive touch control system 188 onto the back side of thesurface 162. Light emitted from the layer 182 provides a source ofbacklight to the trenches and moats visible on a front side of thesurface 162 when the surface 162 is made of a transparent or translucentmaterial such as glass or plastic.

When a user touches the surface 162 in the region of 168, with his orher finger, the capacitive touch control system 102 outputs a signalthat is used to control a device.

As described in this description of embodiments, a conductive layer canbe made of any material that conducts electricity such the reflectivecoating on a mirror, a metal layer, etc. The surfaces described herein,such as 162, are any surface that does not conduct electricity such asglass, wood, plastic, etc. Thus, embodiments of the invention are suitedfor use on mirrors. Some non-limiting examples of mirrors includemirrors both large and small and deployed in a variety of places such asin bathrooms, living rooms, kitchens, hotel rooms, etc. Mirrorscontaining embodiments of the invention can be used as standalone unitsor incorporated into a device such as a medicine cabinet. Thus, theexamples given are non-limiting. Embodiments of the invention are notlimited to use in any particular device but can be deployed in a varietyof devices.

FIG. 2 illustrates partitioning a touch area, generally at 200,according to embodiments of the invention. With reference to FIG. 2, inone embodiment FIG. 2 represents a top view of FIG. 1C as indicated byreference numeral “A.” A conductive layer on a surface 201 ispartitioned. Before partitioning, the surface 201 had a conductive layerdisposed thereon or within a thickness of the surface. FIG. 2illustrates the result of partitioning. The conductive layer has beenpartitioned into a touch area 206 and a first remainder area 202,separated by a trench 204. Alternatively, the process can be thought ofas isolating the touch area 206 from the rest of the conductive layer202. The trench 204 is used to isolate the touch area 206 from theconductive layer 202. The trench has a width as indicated at 208 andrepresents removal of the conductive layer from the area indicated bythe trench.

FIG. 3 illustrates partitioning a conductive area, generally at 300,according to embodiments of the invention. With reference to FIG. 3, thesurface 201 is partitioned again resulting in a second remainder area302 and an island 308. The trench 204 creates a touch area 206 asdescribed in FIG. 2. A moat 304 creates an island 308 and the resultingsecond remainder area 302 of the original conductive layer.

The moat 304 has a thickness 306. Addition of the moat 304 to create theisland 308 reduces the electrical noise picked up by the capacitivetouch system that would be used with the touch area 206 in FIG. 3. Insome system configurations it is advantageous to ground the remainderareas or islands such as 202 (FIG. 2), 302 (FIG. 3), 308 (FIG. 3) or 408(FIG. 4). Bringing the remainder areas to earth ground reduces themagnitude of electrical noise that couples into the capacitive touchcontrol system.

FIG. 4 illustrates multiple touch areas, generally at 400, according toembodiments of the invention. With reference to FIG. 4, a surface 401has a conductive layer that has been separated into several areas. Afirst touch area 410 is separated by a trench 411 from an island 408.The trench 411 has a thickness indicated at 412. A second touch area 420is separated by a trench 421 from the island 408. The trench 421 has athickness indicated at 422. A third touch area 430 is separated from theisland 408 by a trench 431. The trench 431 has a thickness indicated at432. The remaining portion of the conductive layer after partitioning isindicated at 402. A moat 404 having a thickness indicated by 406separates the island 408 from the larger conductive layer. An optionalconnection to ground is indicated at 440 between the remainder of theconductive layer 402 and earth ground. Another optional connection toground can be made between the island 408 and earth ground.

Ground connection with a reflective layer of a mirror is accomplished byremoving any protective non-conducting paint that might be applied overthe conductive layer from an area approximately the size of a quarter.In one embodiment, one end of a strip of conductive copper tape isapplied to this area and then the other end of the conductive coppertape is connected to any part of the mirror structure that is connectedto earth ground for example a frame, cabinet, etc. It may be desirableto have more than one ground connection between the reflective area ofthe mirror and earth ground.

Various embodiments are used to incorporate capacitive touch controlsystems with surfaces having conductive layers that are large, measuringseveral square feet of square yards in area. Additionally, the surfacesthat the capacitive touch controller is used with can be thick. Forexample, embodiments of the system are implemented for use with asurface made of mirror glass in excess of 6 millimeters in thickness.

For a given capacitive touch control unit, as the distance between thetouch pad and the touch area increases (due to increasing surfacethickness) the touch pad and touch areas should be increased in order toprovide more signal to the capacitive touch controller. Increasing thesensitivity of a touch controller can also be done to sense the smallersignal resulting from the increased distance between the touch pad andthe touch area.

The multiple touch areas 410, 420, and 430 are intended to permitgeneration of separate control signals. Therefore, it is desirable tominimize cross-talk between touch pads. The trenches 411, 421, and 431provide capacitive isolation between touch pads. As the trench widths412, 422, and 432 are increased, the capacitive cross-talk between touchpads is decreased. Isolation from electrical background noise that ispicked up by the remainder of the conductive layer 402 is minimized byincreasing the moat thickness 406.

One non-limiting example of an implementation of a capacitive touchcontrol system with a mirror having a thickness of approximately sixmillimeters and an area of approximately two square meters, resulted inan island having a width of approximately 4 inches, a height ofapproximately 1.25 inches, a moat having a width of approximately 0.40inch. Touch pads and touch areas of approximately 0.6 inch by 0.6 inchwith trench and moat widths of 0.040 inch. Center to center spacingbetween touch pads of 1.3 inch. Various capacitive touch controllers canbe used such as devices available from ATLab, Silicon Labs, Microchip,Cypress, ST Microelectronics, Freescale Semiconductor, Atmel, AnalogDevices, and others.

FIG. 5 illustrates a capacitive touch control with a mirror, generallyat 500, according to embodiments of the invention. With reference toFIG. 5, multiple touch areas 400 (in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4)are used in conjunction with a capacitive touch control systemincorporated with a mirror 502. The touch control is configured tocontrol backlight illumination within the mirror via light emitted frombacklights 504 and 506.

Capacitive touch controls provide inputs to an electronic control board,attached to the backside of the mirror (described above in conjunctionwith the preceding figures) that perform various functionality. Invarious embodiments, the electronic controls can include a processorthat receives inputs from the touch controls and executes predefinedfunctions in response thereto. A user touches one of the control areasto create a change in the capacitive circuit attached to the mirrorcoating on the back side of the mirror. The user's touch andcorresponding change in the capacitive circuit attached thereto triggera change in an electronic component associated with the touch control. Anon-limiting list of electronic components that can be controlled by thetouch controls are: lighting on/off, light intensity, light intensity asmodulated by the presence of a user sensed by a proximity sensor, usercontrollable functions associated with a media display device, such butnot limited to volume, channels, power, etc.

In various embodiments, energy saving features are employed through aninteractive use model with a user. For example, on power up, thebuilt-in control brings up a light level to a value, which is less thatfull power, such as for example 30%, then after a period of time thecontrol will increase light output to higher power until full power isreached. If a user lowers the power level of the light then the controlwill maintain that power level until the user changes it again.

A night light feature provides a low power state to save energy. Thenight light feature can set the amplitude of light output to as low as1% of maximum. Night light amplitude is also user definable using thecontrols on the capacitive touch pad.

If a user brings the amplitude below 30%, for example to 5% the lightoutput stays at 5%. A proximity sensor senses whether a user is within apredefined distance of the mirror and lowers the light if a user is notwithin the predefined range.

Percentages and values listed herein are given for illustration only.Embodiments of the invention are not limited thereby.

FIG. 6A illustrates, generally at 600 and 650 wirelessly enabled contentdelivery devices, according to embodiments of the invention. Withreference to FIG. 6A, the wirelessly enabled content delivery device 600has a surface, which has a back side indicated at 602. A wireless datasystem is indicated at 604. The wireless data system 604 is configuredto receive electrical power at 612. The source of electrical power 612can be for example alternating current nominally available at 110 volts(AC) in North America or 220 volts AC or 240 volts AC commonly availablein Europe.

The wireless data system 604 is configured to receive a stream ofcontent from a user's device as described below in conjunction with FIG.6B. The stream of content can be an audio stream, a video stream, or anaudio/video stream. As used in this description of embodiments,“content” is understood to mean any of an audio stream, or a videostream, or an audio/video stream. In one embodiment, a stream of contentis an audio stream which is processed by the wireless data system andprovided to speakers at 606 and 608. An optional microphone, indicatedat 610 is used to receive audio signals acoustically and to then feedthe audio to the wireless data system 604 for streaming back to theuser's device (described below in FIG. 6B).

A wirelessly enabled content delivery device is shown at 650. Optionalspeakers 632 and 634 can be configured in addition to the speakers 606and 608. In some embodiments, optional speakers 632 and 634 are used inplace of speakers 606 and 608. In yet other embodiments, a singlespeaker can be used such as one of 606 or 608. Similarly, in someembodiments, a single speaker can be used such as one of 632 or 634.

FIG. 6B illustrates, generally at 650, a wirelessly enabled contentdelivery device and a user device, according to embodiments of theinvention. With reference to FIG. 6B, the wirelessly enabled contentdelivery device 650 has a front side shown at 652. A user device 654provides a source of content. Associated with the front side 652 is avisual identifier 653 a. The visual identifier 653 a is typically withinview of the user of the user device 654 and identifies the wirelesslyenabled content delivery device 650 from a plurality of such devices insituations where such a plurality exists. A visual identifier can beplaced in a variety of locations relative to a wirelessly enabledcontent delivery device. One location is shown by placement of 653 a.Another location is shown where a visual identifier 653 b is notphysically on the front side 652 but is close enough to the wirelesslyenabled content delivery device 650 so that a user knows that theidentifier is associated therewith. In some embodiments, the onlywirelessly enabled content delivery device which appears on the userdevice 654 is wirelessly enabled content delivery device 650.

In various embodiments, a user device 654 is a wirelessly enabled phone,a wirelessly enabled tablet computer, a wirelessly enabled desktopcomputer or a user defined wirelessly enabled device. In variousembodiments, a user device that contains wireless content streamingfunctionality such as provided by the Bluetooth communication protocolscan be used in conjunction with a system employing a wireless datamodule 704 (FIG. 7A), described below, which is designed to implementthe Bluetooth communication protocols.

As content is streamed (as indicated at 656) from the user device 654the wireless transmission is received by a wireless data system such as604 (FIG. 6A) and the audio is broadcast, as indicated by 662 and 664,through speakers 658 and 660, which are mounted, in some embodiments, ona back side of the wirelessly enabled content delivery device as shownin FIG. 6A. In some embodiments, video is streamed from the user device654 to the wirelessly enabled content delivery device 650. The video isdisplayed on a video display such as a display shown at 670. In someembodiments, one or more touch areas are shown at 666. The touch areashave been described in the figures above and are also described in thefigures below. When touched by a user, touch areas provide signals thatare received by a touch controller and then in turn cause the system toreact, such as for example, cycling power for the wirelessly enabledcontent delivery device, breaking an existing pairing connection, changevolume, adjust video, etc.

A microphone 672 is located on or near the wirelessly enabled contentdelivery device 650.

FIG. 7A illustrates, generally at 700, a wireless data module andassociated components according to embodiments of the invention. Withreference to FIG. 7A, a wireless data system 702 includes a wirelessdata module 704. One or more touch sensing integrated circuits 708, 710,and 712 are configured to change parameters associated with the wirelessdata module 704. Power for the wireless data system 702 is provided at728. An antenna 706 receives wirelessly transmitted content and providesa signal input to the wireless data module 704. A microphone 610 canprovide an alternate signal input to the wireless data module 704 foraudio signals. The wireless data module 704 has two channels of audiooutput (stereo) as indicated at 718 (left audio) and 720 (right audio).718 and 720 are connected to speakers such as 606 and 608 (FIG. 6A) or658 and 660 (FIG. 6B). When a wireless data module is configured toreceive video, the video is output at 724 and can be connected to avideo display such as the display 670 (FIG. 6B). The wireless datamodule 704 is programmed using a port 714.

In some embodiments, the wireless data system 702 can include an audioamplifier such as is indicated at 722. In some embodiments, a videointerface can be included as is indicated at 726. In some embodiments,the components described in conjunction with the wireless data system702 are installed on a printed circuit board (PCB).

In various embodiments the wireless data module 704 is a module designedto implement the Bluetooth communication protocol. In one embodiment,the wireless data module is a BlueGiga® WT-32 Bluetooth streaming audiomodule. In another embodiment when audio and video are streamed thewireless data module is, for example, a SAGRAD® SG901-1059 whichoperates at 150 MHz with a higher data rate.

Protocols other than Bluetooth can be implemented in the system foraudio streaming, such as for example, IRAD® (Infrared Data Association)IRAD-4M protocol which provides a data transfer rate of 3 megabits/sec(MB/s). An example of a wireless data module 704 built using thisprotocol is a Vishey® TFDU6300.

In various embodiments, the wireless data module 704 is implemented inan integrated circuit device, which may include an integrated circuitpackage containing the integrated circuit. In some embodiments, thewireless data module 704 is implemented in a single integrated circuitdie. In other embodiments, the wireless data module 704 is implementedin more than one integrated circuit die of an integrated circuit devicewhich may include a multi-chip package containing the integratedcircuit.

In some embodiments, the audio power amplifier 722 provides stereooutput at 10 watts per channel. In some embodiments a line output isalso provided on the wireless data system 702. The line output is usedto power external speakers such as those shown in FIG. 6A at 632 and634. In some embodiments, capacitive touch controllers such as thosefrom Atmel® or other sources are used at 708, 710, and 712. In oneembodiment, the Atmel® AT42QT1010 touch sensing integrated circuit isused for 708, 710, and 712. In one embodiment, a touch sensingintegrated circuit 708 provides a logic level input to a reset-set (RS)flip flop to cycle the power for the system. A toggle transition by theuser will either enable or disable power. In one or more embodiments, atouch sensing integrated circuit 710 provides a logic level input to thewireless data module 704 to initiate pairing. In one or moreembodiments, a touch sensing integrated circuit 712 provides a logiclevel input to the wireless data module 704 to raise the resultingoutput volume and the output volume can also be lowered using touchsensing integrated circuits such as 712. In one or more embodiments,battery power is provided to maintain data integrity within the wirelessdata module 704, such as identifier, pairing information, etc. In one ormore embodiments, the battery is a Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery with acapacity of 180 milliamp hour to 250 milliamp hour. In one or moreembodiments, the programming port 714 uses the UART (universalasynchronous receiver/transmitter) protocol with the iWrap5 programminglanguage. In various embodiments, logic (not shown) is provided to causelight emitting diodes (LEDs) to illuminate, blink, etc. to indicate suchsystem functions as power on, pairing status, etc. In variousembodiments, power is converted and regulated through the use of thepower unit 728 to provide system power through the use of switchingpower converts as is known to those of skill in the art.

In various embodiments, the wireless data system 702 is implemented inan integrated circuit device, which may include an integrated circuitpackage containing the integrated circuit. In some embodiments, thewireless data system 702 is implemented in a single integrated circuitdie. In other embodiments, the wireless data system 702 is implementedin more than one integrated circuit die of an integrated circuit devicewhich may include a multi-chip package containing the integratedcircuit.

In some embodiments, a series of ground points 716 a, 716 b, and 716 care used to ground the wireless data system 702. In some embodiments,when the wireless data system 702 is used with capacitive touch areas ona surface and one or more capacitive touch controllers, the wirelessdata system 702 is grounded to one of the conductive layers. When amirror is used with capacitive touch areas and one or more capacitivetouch controllers, the wireless data system 702 is grounded to thesilver backing of the mirror glass.

FIG. 7B illustrates, generally at 750, a cross-sectional view of asurface according to embodiments of the invention. With reference toFIG. 7B, the surface 750 includes a layer of glass 752. The layer ofglass 752 has a front side 754. The surface is configured with acapacitive touch area, such that when a user touches a finger 756 to thefront side 754 a logic state of the capacitive touch sensor is changed,as described in conjunction with the figures above.

Also, as described in conjunction with the figures above, mirrorsilvering is selectively removed from one or more trench areas, forexample, 759, 761, and 763, thereby defining one or more touch areas,such as, a touch area 760 and adjacent touch areas 758 and 762. A touchpad (conductive pickup) 764 a has tabs 766 a and 768 a. The touch pad764 a is placed over the touch area 760 as shown at 764 b. A layer oftransparent or translucent material is placed over the trench areas andtouch pad areas, which functions as a light pipe and is indicated at770. On top of the light pipe 770 are placed light emitting diodes(LEDs) 772 and 774. The LEDs produce light which passes through thetrench areas to produce a pattern when viewed from the front side of thesurface 754. An example of such a pattern is seen below in FIG. 7C. Anelectronics board, such a printed circuit board or the like 776 ispositioned as shown on a back side of the light pipe 770 and LED layer.Through holes (vias) 780 and 782 pass through the electronics board 776and the light pipe 770. The vias allow the tabs from the touch pad topass there through and make contact on the electronics board 776. In theexample of FIG. 7B, the tab 768 a passes through the via 780 and makeselectrical contact with the electronics board at a contact 768 b. Thetab 766 a passes through the via 782 and makes contact with theelectronics board 776 at a contact 766 b.

In one or more embodiments, a touch pad such as 764 a is made of 0.0075inch brass flat stock with a 30uIN Brite nickel finish. The touch padcan have a central hole indicated at 782 to permit light from the lightpipe 770 to pass through, thereby providing illumination of an iconplaced within a region defined by a touch area, e.g., 760. An example ofsuch icons can be seen in FIG. 7C at 704 b, 706 b, 708 b, and 710 b.

Such a configuration of capacitive touch controls permits thefunctionality described above in conjunction with the system and awireless data module, such as powering on off, creating pairing,adjusting volume of audio broadcast up, adjusting volume of audiobroadcast down, adjusting appearance of video displayed, etc.

FIG. 7C illustrates, generally at 700, a surface configured with touchareas according to embodiments of the invention. With reference to FIG.7C, a surface is indicated at 702. The surface 702 can be a surfacewithin a wirelessly enabled content delivery device. In variousembodiments, the surface contains a layer of mirror glass which has beenprocessed, as described in the figures above, to create touch areas forcapacitive touch controls. Four touch areas for their associatedcapacitive touch controls are shown in FIG. 7C, at 704 a, 706 a, 708 a,and 710 a. However, in various embodiments, fewer controls can beprovided or more controls can be provided. In one embodiment the touchareas shown in FIG. 7C can be implemented in the wirelessly enabledcontent delivery device of FIG. 6B as shown at 664. In some embodiments,a wirelessly enabled content delivery device is provided without anytouch areas or capacitive touch controls.

A size of a touch area can vary as described in conjunction with thefigures above. In one embodiment, a touch area measures 0.59 inch by0.59 inch with a 0.065 inch trench surrounding the touch area. This sizeis provided merely as an example of a touch pad and does not limitembodiments of the invention. An icon 704 b is located on the touch area704 a such as an icon 704 b which indicates system power. An icon 706 bis located on the touch area 706 a and indicates pairing. An icon 708 bis located on the touch area 708 a and indicates volume up. An icon 710b is located on the touch area 710 a and indicates volume down.

In various embodiments, lighting for the touch areas is provided by LEDssuch as 772 and 774 shown in FIG. 7B, which provide illumination fortrenches 759, 761, and 763. Lighting is controlled by system logic andthe colors selected for the LEDs. In one embodiment, backlight isenabled simultaneously with system power and provides white light. Inone embodiment, touch area icons, such as icons 704 b, 706 b, 708 b, and710 b are illuminated with blue light. LED 775 (FIG. 7B) providesillumination for the touch icon associated with touch area 760. Lightfrom LED 775 passes through the central hole 782 in touch pad 764 athereby illuminating the touch area as seen from a front side of asurface as shown in FIG. 7C.

In one embodiment, system logic provides for the functionality to powerup lights on a surface during system power up. For example, on power upof the wireless data system, which in one embodiment is accomplished bypressing system power touch area 704 a (FIG. 7C) backlights such as 504and 506 (FIG. 5) power up. In addition to or in the alternative, thewireless data system powers up one or more auxiliary lights, this can bea room light such as a desk light, night light, etc. When the wirelessdata system is incorporated into an object such as art glass, designerglass, ceramic, wall panels, etc. one or more lamps can be connectedthereto and be powered up by the wireless data system. In this way,content can be streamed to wirelessly enabled content delivery deviceswhich can provide audio and or video broadcast and operation of lightswithout requiring audio video cabling, etc.

When the touch areas with backlight and lighted touch area icons areused in conjunction with areas of a mirror designed to appear andvanish, such as a video or data display which disappears into the mirrorwhen in an off state the touch areas can be designed to disappear andreappear as well.

FIG. 8 illustrates, generally at 800, a wirelessly enabled contentdelivery device with an associated identifier according to embodimentsof the invention. With reference to FIG. 8, a wirelessly enabled contentdelivery device is shown at 802. The wirelessly enabled content deliverydevice has a front side as shown at 804. As shown in FIG. 8, thewirelessly enabled content delivery device 802 does not have any touchareas provided. However, in other embodiments, touch areas are providedsuch as for example as shown in FIG. 6B and FIG. 7C above.

Several locations for an identifier that is associated with thewirelessly enabled content delivery device 802 are illustrated withinFIG. 8. For example, the identifier can be placed on the wirelesslyenabled content delivery device 802 as shown at 804. Alternatively, orin conjunction with 804, an identifier can be placed in a location asshown in 806. Thus, an identifier can exist in one or more places. Theidentifier assists a user to identify a wirelessly enabled contentdelivery device to which the user wishes to stream content.

In various embodiments, a wirelessly enabled content delivery device anda user device can be paired, for wireless streaming of content, bypowering up the wirelessly enabled content delivery device, as in a coldreset where pairing information is erased. One example of powering up(cold reset) is for example by switching power on from an external wallswitch. When the system powers up it enters pairing mode and isavailable for pairing with a user device. To complete pairing the userselects the particular wirelessly enabled content delivery device from alist displayed on the user device (described below in conjunction withFIG. 11) of available devices within range of the user device. In one ormore embodiments, a capacitive touch control is configured into thesystem to work in conjunction with a wireless data module (such as 704in FIG. 7A), such that when a user touches a touch area of a wirelesslyenabled content delivery device such as 706 a (FIG. 7C) current pairingis broken and the system enters pairing mode again. When in paring mode,a user can now pair a user device with the wirelessly enabled contentdelivery device.

In yet another scenario, in some embodiments, the system enters sleepmode after streaming is idle for a preset time. While in sleep mode thesystem conserves power maintains data in processor memory for examplerandom access memory (RAM) or synchronous dynamic random access memory(SRAM) (e.g., in wireless data module 704 from FIG. 7A). When exitingsleep mode, the system powers up, while retaining the pairing it was inwhen it entered sleep mode, thus the system is available for streamingwith the user device. Note that the functionality described directlyabove can be varied according to the particular embodiment implementedwithin a wirelessly enabled content delivery device. For example, sleepmode can be used to retain pairing even when a wireless data system ispowered directly from a wall switch. In such a configuration, when thesystem is powered down from the wall switch, data is retained in memoryby means of the local battery power supplied on the wirelessly enabledcontent delivery device. No limitation is implied by the particularexamples given and these examples are given merely for illustration.

FIG. 9A illustrates, generally at 900, a method for interrupting audiostreaming according to embodiments of the invention. With reference toFIG. 9A, a process starts at a block 902. At a block 904 a stream ofcontent starts between a user device and a wirelessly enabled contentdelivery device. The stream of content can be, for example in oneembodiment, an audio stream from the user device to the wirelesslyenabled content delivery device.

A user can suspend the audio stream at a block 906 and switch to asecond audio stream at a block 908. For example, a user could start offstreaming music at the block 904 from the user's device. Then anincoming telephone call to the user device can be streamed in place ofthe music content at a block 908. In this mode, the telephone call isstreamed to the wirelessly enabled content delivery device and broadcastfor the user to hear. A microphone associated with the wirelesslyenabled content delivery device picks up the user's voice and providesfor a duplexed stream of audio content to and from the user device andthe wirelessly enabled content delivery device.

At a block 910 the second audio stream can be interrupted and the firstaudio stream can be resumed, for example the stream of music contentform the user's device resumes when the user terminates the phone call.

FIG. 9B illustrates, generally at 950, a method for interruptingaudio/video content streaming according to embodiments of the invention.With reference to FIG. 9B, a process starts at a block 952. At a block954 a first stream of audio/video content is streamed from a user deviceto a wirelessly enabled content delivery device. At a block 956 thefirst stream of audio/video is suspended. At a block 958 a second streamof audio/video content is commenced between the user device and thewirelessly enabled content delivery device. The process stops at a block960. Changing between a first audio/video stream and a secondaudio/video stream can occur as a user changes from one source ofcontent to another on the user's device. Changing between a firstaudio/video stream and a second audio/video stream can occur as a userswitches between for example a stream of a movie and a stream of a videocall.

FIG. 10 illustrates, generally at 1000, a plurality of wirelesslyenabled content delivery devices according to embodiments of theinvention. FIG. 11 illustrates selecting an associated wirelesslyenabled content delivery device from a plurality of wirelessly enabledcontent delivery devices according to embodiments of the invention. Withreference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a hospitality environment 1002includes a plurality of rooms, such as hotel rooms, motel rooms,bedrooms, suites, conference rooms, etc. as indicated by 1004, 1006,1008, 1010, 1012, 1014, 1016, and 1018. Within each room, one or morewirelessly enabled content delivery devices, such as for example, 1020a, 1022 a, 1024 a, 1026 a, 1028 a, 1030 a, 1032 a, and 1034 a arelocated. Each wirelessly enabled content delivery device has one or moreidentifiers associated therewith, such as for example, 1020 b, 1022 b,1024 b, 1026 b, 1028 b, 1030 b, 1032 b, and 1034 b.

A user is shown in the room 1008 with a user device 1040. Depending onthe implementation of a system and wireless data module (e.g., 704 inFIG. 7A) a number of potential wirelessly enabled content deliverydevices will be within range of the user's device 1040 and will appearas available for pairing with the user device 1040. For example, whenthe Bluetooth communication protocol is implemented, the user devicewill have a range of approximately 10 to 30 meters. Such a range ishypothetically indicated, in one embodiment, by a circle 1042. Withinrange of the circle 1042 are six different wirelessly enabled contentdelivery devices. With reference to FIG. 11, the user device 1040 isshown with the six potential wirelessly enabled content delivery devices1106, that are available for pairing, presented on a device display at1104. The user sees an identifier 1024 b in the room 1008 which isassociated with the wirelessly enabled content delivery device 1024 aand then selects 1108 from the list of potential wirelessly enabledcontent delivery device 1106. Selection of 1108 pairs the user device1040 and the wirelessly enabled content delivery device 1024 a togetherenabling content to be streamed therebetween.

As used in this description of embodiments, a wirelessly enabled contentdelivery device includes a mirror, such as a wall mounted mirror, a freestanding mirror, such as a floor standing device or a device configuredfor use on a table or dresser. A wirelessly enabled content deliverydevice also includes a wall mounted panel, such as a panel used as aroom divider, or a panel that embodies or is a piece of art work. In yetother embodiments, a wirelessly enabled content delivery device is apiece of art glass or ceramic art. Streaming of audio content to such adevice creates a sound system within existing items within a roomthereby eliminating the need to run separate wires for speakers andenabling a user to play personal audio content within the room.

As used in this description of embodiments, a hospitality environment isunderstood to mean any one or more of a bed and breakfast, a hotelsetting, a motel setting, a conference center setting, a civic centersetting, etc.

For purposes of discussing and understanding the embodiments of theinvention, it is to be understood that various terms are used by thoseknowledgeable in the art to describe techniques and approaches.Furthermore, in the description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, toone of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may bepracticed without these specific details. In some instances, well-knownstructures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than indetail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Theseembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those ofordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and it is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical,mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

As used in this description, “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” orsimilar phrases means that the feature(s) being described are includedin at least one embodiment of the invention. References to “oneembodiment” in this description do not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment; however, neither are such embodiments mutually exclusive.Nor does “one embodiment” imply that there is but a single embodiment ofthe invention. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in“one embodiment” may also be included in other embodiments. Thus, theinvention may include a variety of combinations and/or integrations ofthe embodiments described herein.

While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments,those of skill in the art will recognize that the invention is notlimited to the embodiments described. The description is thus to beregarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wirelessly enabled content delivery apparatuscomprising: a surface, the surface has a front side and a back side; awireless data system, the wireless data system includes a wireless datamodule, the wireless data system is fixed to the back side of thesurface, the wireless data module is configured to communicate with auser device and to receive a wireless stream of data from the userdevice; and a data output interface, the data output interface isconfigured to receive data from the wireless data module, wherein thedata is derived from the wireless stream of data.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the wireless stream of data includes audio and the datais audio data.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wireless streamof data includes audio and video and the data includes audio and video.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface is selected from thegroup consisting of a mirror, a wall divider, a piece of ceramic, and apiece of art glass.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data outputinterface is a speaker.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the dataoutput interface includes a video display.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the wireless data module conforms to the Bluetooth communicationprotocol.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user device isselected from the group consisting of a telephone, a tablet computer, acomputer, and a user defined device.
 9. A wirelessly enabled contentdelivery apparatus comprising: a surface, the surface has a front side,a back side, and a conductive layer within a thickness of the surface; atrench, the trench is formed in the conductive layer to define a toucharea, the touch area is isolated from the rest of the conductive layer;a conductive pickup, the conductive pickup is mounted on a back side ofthe surface over the touch area and the conductive pickup iselectrically connected to a capacitive touch controller, such that whena user touches the touch area on the front side of the surface the touchcontroller responds to the user's touch; a wireless data module, thewireless data module is fixed to the back side of the surface, thewireless data module is configured to communicate with the touchcontroller and a user device and to receive a wireless stream of datafrom the user device; and a data output interface, the data outputinterface is configured to receive data from the wireless data module,wherein the data is derived from the wireless stream of data.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the touch controller provides an input toa function selected from the group consisting of power cycling, pairing,volume adjustment.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the wirelessdata module conforms to the Bluetooth communication protocol.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the data output interface provides anaudio signal output.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the touchcontroller provides separate inputs to power cycle, pair, and adjustvolume.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the data output interfaceincludes an audio speaker.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein thesurface includes a layer of mirror glass.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the data output interface includes a video display.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the user device is selected from the groupconsisting of a telephone, a tablet computer, a computer, and a userdefined device.
 18. A method to select a wirelessly enabled contentdelivery apparatus within a hospitality environment comprising:associating a visual identifier with a wirelessly enabled contentdelivery device, wherein the wirelessly enabled content delivery deviceis one of a plurality of content delivery devices deployed within ahospitality environment and each wirelessly enabled content deliverydevice contains a wireless data module; and programming the wirelessdata module with information related to the visual identifier, so thatwhen a user sees an indicator displayed on a user device the indicatoridentifies the wirelessly enabled content delivery device from a list ofat least two content delivery devices from the plurality of contentdelivery devices.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:creating a pairing between the user device and the wirelessly enabledcontent delivery device by selecting the indicator from the list. 20.The method of claim 18, wherein the hospitality environment is selectedfrom the group consisting of a hotel, a motel, a bed and breakfast. 21.The method of claim 18, wherein the hospitality environment is a civiccenter.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the wireless data moduleconforms to the Bluetooth communication protocol.
 23. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the wirelessly enabled data device is selected fromthe group consisting of a mirror, a wall divider, a piece of ceramic,and a piece of art glass.
 24. The method of claim 18, wherein the userdevice is selected from the group consisting of a telephone, a tabletcomputer, a computer, and a user defined device.
 25. A methodcomprising: providing a content stream to a wirelessly enabled contentdelivery device from a user device; receiving a telephone call on theuser device; and switching the content stream to the audio from thephone call being received by the user device.
 26. The method claim 25,wherein the user device is selected from the group consisting of atelephone, a tablet computer, a computer, and a user defined device. 27.The method of claim 25, wherein the wirelessly enabled content deliverydevice includes a wireless data module.
 28. The method of claim 25,wherein the wirelessly enabled content delivery device is selected fromthe group consisting of a mirror, a wall divider, a piece of ceramic,and a piece of art glass.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein thewirelessly enabled content delivery device includes a video display. 30.The method of claim 25, wherein the wirelessly enabled content deliverydevice provides audio from the content stream.
 31. The method of claim30, wherein the wirelessly enabled content delivery device includes amicrophone.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the wirelessly enabledcontent delivery device provides audio and video from the contentstream.